Ignition apparatus



Oct. 9, 1928. l1,686,527

J. H. LEHMAN IGNITIoN APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25. 1922 2 shuts-sheet Y 1 Z i u Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,527

4 J. H. LEHMAN IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25. 1922 z sheets-sheet 2 Bmw-minar Arm/elvira I y, Thisinvention isan improvement in ap paratus for controlling electricvcircuits, par ticul'arly those ofignition apparatus for mul-y Patented oct. y9, 1928.

oFFicE.,U

ji JOSEPH H. LEHMAN, y011" Vinasisnovex HEIGHTS, n/EWKJERSEY.

Y IGNITION Arran-Artis.

` Application tiled.` February 25,1922.L Serial No'. 539,093.

'tiple-cylingdei" internal combustion engines.

A preferred embodimentis usedas a timerv f for the primary or 10W tension current, and

1' distributer for 'thesecondary or lhighjteiision'curreiit, and involves certain improvements overl l,the constructions shownv and broadly claimed inmy'prior Patents 1,415,-

369 an'd 1,415,370, granted May 9, 192.1'. l The k current reversing feature is an improvement `on thatbroadlyfelaimed inmy prior Patent "1,251,249 issued December 2`'ith,191'.` y

` ki Une important objectof my present invenrtionis' to providelmea'ns `whereby ther appa-r ratusfmay ber'ea'dily adaptedL for eitherv a which maybe so designed 'aslto be applied to f timers and distributers for single ignition systemsnow 'oni the market. Another important object is to providefineans whereby operatin'g mechanism of the' make-andbreak devices for theprimary circuit may be asse/nr. bled for-rotation 1n either direction, dependn ing uponthe direction 'of the drivefro'm the the spark thus better adapting thel apparatus fork usewithliigli speed engines.' There are various othcryimportant feutures'ivhich will i rbe vpointed out in connectionwith adescrip.-

. tion of a preferred embodiment oit the invention, many of these featuiesfhaviiig for their obiect the reduction :or cost, simplification 'of construction, ease ofv assei1ibly,`adjust-yy ment, and repair, and reduction of Wear;

line `1 1 `thereon indicating ther sect-ionen ywhich Fig. 1 is taken.

K u krfsuppleiiieutaiy distributei', brush enrinek crank shaft.. Another` obiect is to in-y crease the current lflowy and eteetiveness `of Fig. 4 is an edge View ofthe'head shovvn ,5in Fig. 3.,y e

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the head 'shown in Fig. 3." g. e

Fig. Gis a sectionaldetail on the line 66 ofFigr. p I F ig. 7k is al side elevation of one brush holder.

Fig. `Sis side elevation ofthe other brush holder; f Y Y Fig. 9 is an end` view of one of the brush holders. y I

Fig. 10 isaperspective view of one of the 4collector ring sections on Athe timer head.

11 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate weaiipieces on vthe timer head.

Fig. 12 is a section"similarA to Fig. 1, but f with additional parts inserted for a double l"ignition system. i double ora'single lgnitionsystemby t-he adydition vorjremoval of supplementary parts Y Fig. is a sect/ionen the line 14e-14 of rig. y. 1

Figp 15 isa top plan view-ot the upper distributor brush; member. e Fig. l16 1s a top. plan view of tl mb ci'.

".Fig". 17 is a. top plan view oia i'nodilied- :forni of timer l1 ead, and

Figs. 18 lrand 19ers, sections on the lines 18e-1S and 19H19 respectively of Fig'. 17.

As illustrated inFiJgs. 1 to 10y inclusive.

there is provided a ca ingr wit-hin which isv rotatably mounted mean intermittently ma'kingand breaking; thevprimary circuit a plurality of times diiriiiggfeacli coiiipletefrevollutinnr ofthe rotoi-and'means for `distribut-k ingthe. secondari7 circuit to'terniinals corre- "-,s'p'ondingi'in rui-mbei' to the engiuc'cylindeis or spark plugs. The rotor-includes a shaft i' 9.0 which may be provided uitl'i any suitaljilev i means ordrviiip; at the/desired rateof yspeed inrespeet to the enginecrank shaft *speed f f havef'illiistiated the` lower end of fthe shaft as beingr provided 'with helical l(gear 21. Rigidlysecured tothe shaft Within the casingfthereis provideda timer head constructed' as illustrated in detail in Figs.A 3 to 6 inclusive. The head includes a'metal sleeve portioii22 fitting`- uponfa portion ofthe shaft 2O ofieduced diameter, and seating oi'ira' 1^ vloiver -or The ring section has an inwardly extend-` ing lug 2.7 at its upper edge, imbedded within the insulation torxning the body, and the ring section 2G has a siinilar lug rlhese lu serve not only to eiiectively hold the ring sections in permanent rigid engagement vwith the body ot the head, but also rre 'tor the connection ot operating parts, as hereinafter pointed out. Il desired, ich i `section may have an additional lug tor anchoring it in the body ot' the head, such lugT being at the lower edgeot the collector ring section.

The collector ring sections are connected to t-he opposite terminals ot thesouree ot' electrical energy as hereinafter pointed out, and the head carries means tor intermittentlv making and breaking the circuit from one. collector ring` section to the other. This means includes a pair ot inake-and-break contacts 30 and 3l, the former being connected to the collector ring section 26, and the latter to the collector ring section 25. The contact 30 is carried by and adjustable inrespect to a post 32 substantially parallel to the axis ot rotation ot the head. The post has a threaded stein portion extending through the insulation head, and through an aperture in the lug 2S, et' the collector ring section 2G. The threaded stein 32 terminates in a socket or recess in the under side ot the head and receives a retaining nut, as shown particularljY in Fig. l. By tightening this nut, the upper or head portion ot the stein inay be rigidi)v clamped to the head. As the stem may oe rotated about its own axis, it will be apparent that the post may be clamped with the :tace ol1 the contact adjusted to the proper angle to make per iect electrical engagement with the other contact. The contact itself is carried by a screw which may be adjusted back and toi-th through the post and lug and lo'hed b v a nut 34. i

The other contact member Sl is carried by an npturned flange or lng on a bell crank lever 36. This lever is provided with a sleeve or bearing portion 37 rotatably7 mounted upon a post 3S carried by the head, but projectingy upwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the axis ot rotation of the head. This post, aeshown particularly in Fig. 6, has a stein part y39 which is eccentric in respect to the body portion ot the post, and which exrlhe body portion 2l ot the` tends through the head into a recess or cavity in the under side, and is locked in position bv a suitable nut 40. The post has a polygoiial or other non-circular portion l-l which may be engaged by a wrench or other tool to rotate the post when the nut 40 is properly7 loosened. Due to the eccentricity of the stein 39, and the body portion 258 ot the post, it will he apparent that such rotary movement tends to more endwise the portion of the bell crank leve carrying the contact 3l. Thus the contact may be moved back and ttorth substantially in its own plane to get it to the properly adj used position 'lor per'lect engagement with the race ot the opposed contact 30. It will be noted that the postis not directly connected to either of the collector ring sections. The end of the bell crank lever opposite to the end carrying the contact 31, carries a projecting part 42 which may engage with a casing part in the path thereof' t0 canse the oscillation ot the lever during the rotation ot the head, and to open and close the circuit at the proper time intervals. This part ot the structure with which the projectionfi2 engages will be described more in de tail hereinafter. The projection is preferably formed ot insulation material. F or rigidly holding the projection on the upper leaf 43, the projection maybe riveted between the two leaves, as shown particularly in Fig. l, and n'iay back up against a lug 44 integral with and bent up troni the inner edge ot' the end portion ot the body ot the lever 36.

For conducting the current to the lever 3G and its contact 3l, and tor normally holding the contacts 30 and 3l together, I provide a leall spring 'l, one end ot' which is secured to the inner surface ot the lug ANlet, at one end ot the lever and an intermediate port-ion of which is bent around the sleeve portion 37 at the tuli'ruin ot the lever. A portion ot the spring adjacent to its opposite end, extends through a slot in a post 4G, and is rigidly secured to this post. The post et@ has a stein portion similar' to the stein portions 33 and 39, and extends through the insulation head ard through the lug' 2T oit the collector ring' section 25. Thus, the current from the co1- lector ringr section 25 may pass to the cot lector ring section 26 by following through the tollowing parts. lug 2T, post 4:6. spring l5, lever 3G, contacts 8l and 30, post 32, and lug 28. l

As one important feature o my invention the spring 45 is so constructed as to operate in a double v.ipa/:ity on the hell crank lever constituting the current breaker arm. During` the rotation of the interrupter head the proj cction 4:2 engages with a series of cams or projections on the interrupter housing, as hercina'tter set forth. The greater the speed at which the interruptor head rotates, the. greater will be the torce of the blow imparted to the projection 42, and there will be a tenyso lill) dency ofthe contact 31 to moveto correspondl inglyy greater distances from" the Contact 30.

. The greaterthe time during which these conf ktacts areseparated,"the greaterlwillbe the time interval ofcurrent interruption; For liighspeed-motors it isdesired that this current interruption be for as'short an intervalv build up'in, the induction coil. The spring 45, by reason of its-engagement with the post 46, theleve'r, and the fulcruin as possible, in; order that the current may ofthelever, returns the Contact 3,1 to closed current position aslsoon as theVK projection 42is free, of the obstruction in itsk path, duringk normal orpslow speed' rotation. The spring has a terminal portion 47 extending beyondthe post 46 and bent to vform .astop in the path'of movement of the lug ory flange i ,the circuit. i fon the lever. During normaler slow speedoperation thelug'c'omes merely to this spring,

doesjnot forcibly impactagainst this spring,

and infact, need not even engagefivitli it.

During high speed'operation, when the force of 'the blow againstltheprojection 42 tendsy to swingthe breaker or interrupter arm to excessive distances, the spring stop'47 Vacts to limit or prevent vsuch movement.A When. the movement is such` as-to bendthespring stop, the energy stored in such bending. move nientacts instantly to kreturn the kbreaker arm at high speed and bringr the contacts together to close lthe circuit after the shortest yp ossible time interval followingtliefopening of The timer vor interrupter head with the parts mounted as shown in Fig. 3, 1s intended for 'counter-clockwise rotation. s As one 1mportant feature of my improved constructionk ythe designis such that the postand partscarriedy tlie'rebymay he removed, and bemoun't'- ed"forclockivise direction if the timer shaft ofthe engine vin connection with which. the

timer. is to be employed, havetliatv direction of rotation. .The lugs ontlie collecter ring sectionsQ and 26, yand the holes or socketsy in the head arej in duplicate vand arefsymmetrical in respectto a plane'k (indicated by y the line AB in Fig. lBritti-ight angles to ceases or. sockets 33 and 4G extending up into the vhead rfrom the underside lat these lugs,

the axial planel between the twofcollector ringsections.` Thus the collector' ring section Qfhasa lug 27?, and the collector ring section 26 has a lug 28a. The/head has're and intol which rma y project s the threaded stems rofthe postsBZ and 46, kThere is also I f provided fa socket or recess 39',dispo'sed on kthe opposite side of the line A-B in respect tothe socketvwhich receives the threaded stem 39 of the post38. It willgbe notedthat all oftheparts designated b vfreference characters having the exponent a are disposed on the same chords at right angles to theline `A--B as are the partshaving corresponding lnumerals .Without the exponent. By mount. n

33 in the recess ed., '28, all ofthe parts Will ybe in reverse posi- VVinglthe postBS with its stein 39 in the recess '39, mounting the post 4G With its stem 1n he recessett, and connected tothe lug 27, and by mounting lthe post 32W1tli its stem and connected to lthe lug 'tion from rthat shown in l lgQB, and the head 'will be; adapted for clockwise rotation rather than counterelocliiwise rotation.` lVith the partsjvlsoreversed, eachv part ywill be at the Vsame distance :from the gapslbetivecnthe collector ring sections as before.

,Preferably in the construction of the head theiecesses which are not torbe employed in tli'eqoriginal assembly inaytei'n'iinajte a Aslight dista-nce below tlieupper surfaeeof the body of the head,fso as not to be apparentifrom the upper surface. lVlien. it is desirable or rnecessary to reverse the posijtionof the makeand-bi'eali parts, the holes may he .very easily drilled the rest ofthe Way through.

n order that the brushes hereinafter refer-red to,` and which enga with the collector ring "sections `shall not act to bridge across the gap between one Asection and the other, .it isyiinportant that the yWidth of y the gapv be greaterthan the Width of the brush. As one important feature. of my construction I` provide ay `pair of metal inserts-t8 in 'the body, and disposed inthegaps betweenthe ends-of thecollector ringgse'ctions. These have their ,outer surfacesV in the. samev are 'ith the'outer surfaces of the collector ring sections, and are of such Widtlitliattherc is only the minimum necessary insulation be.-

tween eachinsei't and the two collector ring'. y. sections. yl`hus the brush may ride rfrom rone .section on to an insert, and then Aon to the .other section, without short circ-uiting. The' `z` 1-Por .mounting thel` timer/of interruptor r`head onitheshaft 10,Y and at the-same time permit of its ready removalfa'nd circu'mfer- I entialadjustment, the ripper end of theshaft is providedvvwitli a1 central longitudinal taperednecess adaptedy to'ieceive aconical wedgejO. The peripheral wall of the shaft is longitudinally slotted, and means arefprotime tlieflatter is molded f vided forr moving the Wedge endwise to eX- i pandor permit contraction ,of this portion of the shaft so as togrip or release the metal.

sleeve or bearing portion 22 of the head1 vAs shown, there isa central screw 51 carrying the A.Wedgebetiveenthe head thereof kand a stopk or shoulder, so that 'thefjw'edge ismoved endiwiser 'itli'lthewscrevv the screw'has lthreaded, engagement with the T he inner end of Cil shaft at the inner end of the socket which receives the Wedge. lllhe stop on the screw1 at the inner end of the Wedge may be in the form of a small, split ring disposed in a peripheral groove in the screw.

In assembling the parts, the head may be slipped on to the end of' the shaft into engagement With the shoulder Q3, and may be rotated on the shaft to the desired position. By then tightening the screw 5l, the head is firmly clamped in position. This tightening action does not tend to rotate the head on the shaft, and thus accurate adjustment can be secured.

The casing of my improved device includes a body portion formed of sheet metal and supported by and securedto a bearing sleeve 53 which may be cast or turned from a drawn bar. rl`his bearing sleeve has a terminal portion of reduced diameter extending into the timer head to the end of the sleeve 22 of the latter, and a peripheral flange 5st to which the sheet metal body portion is secured. This body portion includes a substantially cylin drical peripheral Wall 55 for encircling the -imer head, but spaced from the periphery of the latter, a bottom Wall 5G secured to the flange 54- of the bearing sleeve, an outwardly extending` top Wall or flange 57 in a plane slightly above the upper surface of the body of the timer head, and a substantially cylindrical peripheral flange 5S extending up- Wardly from the outer edge of the flange 57. The casing forms a cuplilre chamber Within the Wall 55 above the Wall 5G, and below the flange 57, and Within which the timer head is mounted. The flange portion 57 carries the interrupter housing ivhich acts to intermittently engage with the projection 42 on the breaker' arm, and thus effect a. make-and-breal; of the circuit a plurality ot' times during the rotation ot the timer head. As shown, this interrupter housing is in the form ot' a sheet metal ring 59 having an upturned peripheral flange GO adjacent to the flange 5S of the casing, and cooperating With the latter to 'term a rigid outer ivall and a. firm support for the casing cover. The inner edge of' this sheet metal ring or annulus has a plurality of upwardly extending flanges 6l spaced atfequal distances apart, and corresponding' in number to the number of cylinders of the engine in connection with which the timer is to be employed. As illustrated, there are four of these flanges or projections (il. Thus, in the device illust-rated,l the breaker arm Will be moved four times during a complete rotation of the timer head. and the circuit will he made and broken a corresponding number of times. These flanges or projections Gl are preferably bent. to present curved cam surfaces, as shoivn particularlyY in 2, so that the breaker arm projection 42 may strike the cam and ride up one side and down the other. The center portions ot the surface of all of the projections 6ly are preferably ground so as to be slightly concave?` and all in the same are and at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the timer head. rllhus the maximum distance to which the breaker arm will be moved by each cam projection will be exactly the same, in spite oi any slight inaccuracy in the formation or bending of the cam projections.

l have illustrated the interruptor housing 59 as being riveted to the casing, so that to advance. or retard the spark, it is necessary to oscillate the mtire timer casing. This oscillation may be effected by a lever G2 secured to the under side 'of the flange 57 of the casing by the rivets 63 which hold the interruptor housing in position. Ot-her means may be employed for attaching the handle it desired. The casing `may be so mounted that oscillation is prevented and the interruptor housing 59 may be mounted to oscillate Within the casing. To do this it is merely necessary to make the rivets 63 slightly loose in elongated slots in the Wall 57. The rivets 63 may thus connect the interrupter housing and the lever handle G2, and oscillation of the housing in either direction may be effected by the handle Without oscillation otl the main casing.

For delivering the primary or low tension current to the collector ring sections 25 and 26, there are provided a pair of brushes 65 and GG. These are carried by the casing wall at diametrically opposite points, and resilicntly pressed against the periphery of the timer head. For supporting the brushes, the cylindrical Wall of the casing carries a pair of tubular metal lguides 67 which may he rigidly and permanently secured to the casing Wall in any suitable manner` as for instance by spinning over the inner ends against the inner surface of t-he casing wall to gri p the latter against beads or flanges on the tubular members G7. Detachably mounted in these tubular guides are a pair of brush holders (S8 and (S9. Each brush holder has a suhstantiah ly U shaped spring 70v1 the free ends or extremities ol which extend inwardly and resiliently engage with the upper and loiver surfaces of the brush. Between the rear end of' the brush and the rear wall of the brush holder is a coil spring 7l pressing the brush endwisc toward the timer head. T he brush holders are detachably held in place prefer ably by pins engaging in bayonet slots. Each holder has a pair of pins '72-73 which are of different sizes, or which are positioned at other than diametrieally opposite points. so that each holder may be inserted in the tubular guide in only a single position. The pins engage suitable bayonet slots in the guides, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The pins of one holder may be larger or differently positioned than those o'l the other, so that the brush holders cannot be interchanged.

rtheater At least me of'ihesebaish Midas, for

, instance the holder 69, is madedof insulation material', and the rear end; ofthe guiding spring 7 Ofis provided with a threaded'terminalk 7,4 and lock nuts or other rsuitable means for th'eioonnec'tionot' a'ivirethe oto.,

If the priiifiarycircuitbe `an 'all Wire one.

thenboth ybrushy holders would be constructedy as shown'at the right'handfsidefot Fig. l.

Preferably the circuit is grounded so that the frame 'forinsfapart ofthe circuit. In

this case the lbiaislrl'iolder 68 is ,forinedf'ot metal, so as toelectrically connectthe ybrush 65 to the nietal casing of thertinier. VVfith l grounded' 'circuit,lit is only vnecessary to pro.-r

vide one rfeed \vi-re,vwhich maybe connected to e the battery or to any other suitable source of electrical energy, i and With the brush 65 grounded through the' metal brush holderGS 1 to the casing, it will Vbe noted thatthe two brushes are of opposite polarity. "With the v partslin the position shown -iii.Fig. l, the currentmay flow from the terminalTftthrough thehrush68,co1lector'ring sectioiit, lug

Y 28, and post tocontact 30. VVhenfthe conrin taots are together, theK4 current rmay flow from they contact 3() tothe engaging `cont-act 3l,

then'cepassing through the Vbreaker arm and l spring tothe post 16, lugQ', collector-frinfrsec` tion 25,*and brush 65'to` ther groui'i'd,v and back to the battery.y 'y vAs the tiii'ier head rotates,thc oircuit'will he opened andk closed four times during a rotation of thehead, and-Tat` each breakingo't 'the circuit, the current may uinp across the ga p between the contaots 3() and 31.

.Aftereach halt revolution ot' the timer head.

the polarity of the collector ring` 'sections and 26 willbe reversed, l they will leach pass from one brush tothe? other. 'Ihiis'iior the current breaks 'during one half revolution ogt'fthe timer head, the spark or'arc will pass in one directionbetweenthe terminals() and 3l, and duringr the nexthalfr'evolution it Will pass 4iii the opposite direction between* as resi'iflts. from vuni#directional flow of the' l sparks or fares 1s prevented, as pointed `4ont in connection vwith, my prior Patent No.'l

The distributer for the secondary or' high tensionvcurrent includesa casing section orv W. f. cover.: H which rmay be lformed ofl insulation` material, and; detachably .secured in y any suitable manner. As illustrated, the casing haslugs 'or shoulders 78 Vith which spring catches or 4clips'79 pivoted on the flange 58 may detachably engage. The relative location of ythe lugs and ycatches to- `siether with a projection orr notch in the casing' Wall insures the securing A'of the body portion of the *casing` and the cover together in donly a singleposition. The cover carries an` annular row of terminals 81 which may extend through the Wall of the vcover and'be provided .with any suitable means for attachment thereto orf separate Wires leading to thespai'lrpiugs There is-also a centrally positioned'terminal 82 provided `with means 'l'or connecting it to the secondary Winding of the induction coil. Vfithinthe casingy there is provideda distributer head 8?Which may be flornied oit' insulation material. and n'iounteditor rotation with the timer head. This distributor head has a brush 84 for Contact 'with or movement 'past the several terminals 8l, and this brush is connected to a springr Contact engaging With thecentral terminalt. l`hus,'as the distributer head 83 rotatesitavill distribute the current troni the terminal tothe several'terniinals 8l in succession. It will of course be understood that theqnunil'ier ot terminals S1 corresponds to the number of proje'ctioi'isv or ilugs (il ot the interrupter liousingand that there is a proper relative positioningifothesefpartstov secure the desired current flow. 'In order to insure the proper positioning ofthe distributei lieadfin respect to the'tiiner head, and

yindependent of anyfrotary adjustment o the tiniei'vfhead; on the drive shaft, the (,listributei'" head is Vpreferably lmounteddirectly 'on the timer head, instead oton' the shaft. As

`shown, the-distributer head has asocket in its under `surface which receives the upstanding end lot the sleeve 22 which toi-ins a partr ot the timer head. 'vllhefinner end of the socket and the upljierend ovifthe Vsleeve ai-eso formed as to insureproper seating in only a snele position.v and tofinsure rotation the i'hstributer head With thetiineuliead. As

Yshown, one halt ofthe terminal portion ot'the sleeve is cut away as' -to .be soiiieufhat shorter than the otherhalf, and to present shoulders engagingfwith correspondingT sur-` .tacesfin the socketot the distributer head; lVith thisineunting of the distributer head vdirectly on the timerheathit is evident that it is' not necessaryto exercise aiiyparticular caution' or cai/in returning the distributerhead topositionvafter it has been removed iorany purpose. f Itfivill also be noted that v.the distributor head may be very easily re- .moved so as to give 'free access .to the -parts'oi 1 the timer as it hasftree slip' connections With the tubular `part 22. y f

, @The construction shown in' 1 is'v designed for a single ignition`syst'em, that is,

lou

one in which there is a single spari; plug for each cylinder et the engine, and the number or cylinders corresponds to. the number of secondary terminals 81.

As an important teature ot' my invention, I provide means vvhereby the construction may be easily i id quickly adapted to a do-uble ignition sy siem, that is, one in Which there are tivo spark plugs tor each cylinder, :rfid operated sinuiltaneously to give ignition sparks at two separate points in the combustion chamber or Working cylinder. For this purpose I provide an auxiliary casing section which may be inserted betvveen the main casing and thc cover, and also provide an aux iliary distributer head which may be inserted between the timer head and the distributer head which cooperates With the cover. In Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive I have illustrated my improved construction as provided with these auxiliary or supplementary parts. The auxiliary casing section may be termed of insulation material, and includes a peripheral wall 9() and a transverse Wall 91. The Wall has its lovver edge constructed substantially the same as the lower edge ot the cover, so that it may seat on the main casing in place of the cover, and its upper edge is .termed similar to the upper edge of the main casing so as to adapt it to receive the main cover Ot the casin For the insertion et this auxiliary7 casing section between the main casing and the cover, no substitution of parts is necessary other than to provide spring clips T9@l in place ot the springclips 79, and of the proper length to extend past the intermediate section and engage with the cover. The peripheral Wall 90 ot the auxiliary casing section has an annular series of secondary terminals 92 corresponding in number to, and in the same radial planes the secondary terminals 81 ot the cover. 'I'hese may be similar in all respects to the terminals 81, except that they extend radially rather than parallel to the axes. rIheir outer portions may be construct-` ed tor the attachment of lead Wires to the spar; plugs in the same Way as the terminals 81.

To insure the proper positioning of the auxiliary casing section it is provided with a lug SO adapted to enter the recess SO of the main casing, and its opposite surface is provided with a recess corresponding to the ren cess SO and adapted to receive the lug of the cover.

The transverse Wall 91 of the auxiliary casing section carries an annular collector ring 93 which may be provided ivith a transverse slot- 9 to prevent circular flow oi current therein, and is provided with a lug or flange 95 extending to a binding post or other Wire terminal 96 tor the attachment ot a Wire from the secondary Winding of the induction coil.

rIhe auxiliarydistributer head 98 is provided ivith a recess 'in the under side thereof similar to that in the under side ot the main distributor head, and adapting it for direct connection to the timer head. rIhe distributer head 9S carries a brush 99 adapted to engage ivith or move pastthe several secondary terminals 92, and is provided with a brush 10Q tor engagement with the collector ring 9,3 on the aiixiliary casing section. This brush 100 is yieldingly pressed in a direction parallel to the axis et' rotation oi the device, by means of a spring 101., and is guided in la metal sleeve integral with or electrically connected to the brush 99. Thus the current may be delivered to the collector ring 93 through the terminal 96 and distributed through the brushes 100 and 99 to the several secondary terminals 92. The auxiliary distributer head has an upwardly extending projection or stud 102 cor responding in term to the upper end of the tubular member 22 of the timer head, and adapted to support the main distributer head 83.

lVith this arrangement theseconda ry Windingr ott the induction coil may be effectively insulated from the prin'iary Winding and the opposite terminals of t-he secondary may he connected to the tivo distributor heads. 'lhus the current ilovvs from the coil through one distributer, and spark plug, the engine frame,

nother spark plug ot' the same cylinder, and then through the other distributer back to the coil. Thus tvvo separate sets of spark plugs may be operated simultaneously with a single timer and a single coil, and the parts are so designed that the apparatus may be readily changed so as to adapt it for either a single or a double ignition system, Without material change in any of the parts.

The details of construction of the main parts of the timer and distributor, as illustrated in Fig. 1Q, are substantially the same as the corresponding parts illustrated in Fig. 1, but itl will be evident that I may, it' desired, manufacture auxiliary casing sections and distributer heads adapted for insertion betvveen the casing body and cover, and between the distributer head and the primary current interrupter ot various different forms ot' construction now on the maket. So tar as concerns the design ot the auxiliary parts for adapting a device to single or double ignition, I do not Wish to be limited in any Way to the details of construction illustrated in Fig. 1..

In .some constructions the current. reversing feature may be omitted, and in that event I may use the timer Vhead illustrated in Figs. 1T, 18 and 19. In this form, the timer head includes a tubular member 10Gv having an annular liange or top plate 107. One malte-and-break contact 198 may be carried by a flange 109 extending upwardly from an arm 110 insulated from the tubular member 106. The arm 110 is shown as having a centralorspider portion 111 clamped to an insulation Washer 112 by means of arnet-al sleeve 1.13.vr The vrinsulationWasher projects into tlietubular member k106 'so that the arm yof the breaker'armfoppositeto the Contacty may :be swung about the axis ofthe members becarried byy a#dependinggflange 118 on a 'l bell cranklever ,119 servinga's a breaker arm.k This arm mayl haveia tubular bearing'sleeve `120y rigidlyclainped thereto and mounted on a stud 121 extending upwardly from and rigidly securedftothe/plate 107; Thefend 117 may-be *bent downwardly "to form a flange and tlieedge of this may be bent y yaround yto'forin, Walls` 12231an`d 124 'direcfly'` beneath theplane ofthe body portion oft-lie arm. kThus ythere is formed integral rwith the.

arm ai chamber Within which is rigidly se- Cured theffpi'ojection 125 bymeans of 'which the breaker armv 1s swung to openand close the circuit during the rotation 'of the head.

kThe contacts may be' normally held together by a spring 126 havingone end'secured to or engagingwith the flange'or Wall 123' and lthe yotherend secured toA a 'lug 127 Vintegral with the plate 107 and extendingupwardly from one edge thereof.r` The metal sleevelli lnay form-tho bearing sleeyeada'ited toieceivc v and beI rigidly secured-tov themetal driifelshafajso that `thegrcundside of the circuit may be connectedt the Contact 108,: The tubular metalportion 10'6fmay serve asa? collector-ring, yand be, engaged by a!y brushA 127 lconnected togtlie other terminal of the" rbattery or otherfsource of electrical'energy.,

As oneiiinportant 'advantage ofy the l'ieadV construction shown in Figs; L7, 18 and 1f), it

Willbe noted that all of the metal parts are so' 'designed 'a to be readily stamped, bent ,ratuspincluding ,a sheet metal casing, ani'n-y c ,magneto` v n y AHaving thus described inyinvention, what f I claim as lnew fand: desire to secure by Leti or drawn friiiirsheet metal, and thus may bey iliade andv `assembled atv comparatively sinall erpense; flliisQlieail, although adapt' edfor yuse iii aftiinervand.' distriiiiuter, inifgijitv be eriiployedV as thefciirrent interrupter of a ters Pateiitgisz f g n A'1. A circuitcontroller forfignition appaterrul'iter head rotatably.' mountedL therein and having acollector iung,'said Acasing haw' ing` an aperture, and-a tubular metal sleev'ef having an annular lbead-enga-ging with the router gsurface of 'the Wall'of the casing, and an end portion extending throughsaid ap'erture and expandedinto engagement with thev inner surface of the Wall vthecasing, and afbr'ushl slidably `mounted in Lsaid sleeve 'and i engaging Vlivith said collectorjring;

`r2. A' circuit controller for ignitionv appara-- tus,v including an interrupter liead haring a collector ring', a sheet! metal casing lenclosing saidhead and having a tubularnietal guide secured to one side thereof,`and presenting dissimilar bayonet slots, a brush holder detachably mounted Within said'guide and hav? ing means cooperating `With said slots for retainingsaid holder in a single position,

and a.` brush lslidably 4mounted kWithin said holder vand`engaging Withsaid collector ring.

' '3. A circuit controller for ignitionap'paratuseincluding a. shaft, an interrupter head'V secured thereto and havinga collector ring and niale-and-brea-k contacts, a bearing for rsaid shaft, a .substantially cup shaped sheet metal casing member securedlto said bearing-r a brush carried bythe Wall/0f said kcasing and engaging With said collector ring,y and an annular'row'of sheet metal projections carried by sai-dcasing Wall andadapted to'v eflect a relative"movement of said make-andbi'eak contacts a pluralityof times during cach rotation of said head.y f f ifi. A combined timer ai'iddistributer, including an interrupterhead, a-sheet`fnietal casing, an annular sheetv metal ring rigidly secured to said casing and having a-fplu-Y rality of fianges, and `means carried by said* head forengag'iiig Withsaid flanges toinakc and break thecircuit as the head rotates".y

5. A combined timer andv distributer, iiicluding an interrupt'er head, sheet metal cisiiig, a sheet inet-aly ring. having flanges integral,therewith andv extending upwardly' therefrom,'the'body of said ring being rigidn the circuit.

A combined timer-.rand distributer, in-

Cil

ioo lysecured to said casing, and aL breaker arm carriedby said-head for; engagement with said flanges'in vsuccession to make and break.

cluding 'an interiupterhead, a sheet metal'` casing having a cup-sliapedportionnreceivingr said lie-ad andan outwardly extending coverl supporting fiange, a sheet metalk ring secured i to said flaiige for reinforcing the latter and having a' pluraiity of upwardly eX ending fianges atits inner edgev and aV breaker arin carried bylsaid .head for vengaging rwith said flanges in succession to make and Vbreak thef` primary circuit. i

7. A combined timer and distributor, in-

cludiiiga casing, 'an annular sheet inetaiineini bei" secured thereto, and having an upwardly f extending ,annular flange at itsfout'er edge and a'plurality of separate upwardly extending flanges at its inner edge, a. cover engaging with said first mentioned flange, and a breaker arm carried `by ffaidhead and adaptedfto en,-A gage rvWithsaid second mentioned flanges. inl

succession. y f e v n 8;' `A combined timer and distri-buter including'a sheet metal casing liavingfan outwardly 5 extendingfiange and anvupwardly extending yflange at tlieouter edgeof thefirst inentionedf y fiange,y an annular .sheet metal member ser cured to said lirst mentioned flange and having a flange at its outer edge substantially parallel to the upwardly extending tlange` of said casing, a cover secured to said casing and engaging' with said upwardly extending flanges, and a. rotatable member Within said casing and having a part adapted to engage with the inner portion of said annular member to eli- Ylect successive interruptions ot the current.

9. A combined timer and distributer, including an interrupter head havingl a breaker arm and an interruptor housing, including an annular sheet metal member presentinga .series of upstanding flanges integral there Wit-h and in the path of movement of said arm.

l0. A combined timer and distributer including a. rotatable head having a breaker arm, an interruptor housing including a sheet metal ring presenting npstanding spaced flanges in the path ot' movement ot said breaker arm, and each having its opposite edges curved away l'rom the path ot movement of said arm.

11. A combined timer and distributer including a rotatable head having a breaker arm, an interrupter housingi cluding a sheet metal ring presenting upstanding si aced flanges in the path ol movement ot said breaker arm, and each ot said tlanges being curved transversely to stilten or reinforce the saine and to bring the side edges out ot'said path. Y

12. A. combined timer and distributer including a rotatable head having a breaker arm, an interrupter housing including a sheet metal ring presenting upstanding spaced flanges in the path of movement of said breaker arm, and each of said flanges being curved transversely to stillen or reinforce the same'and to bring the side edges out of said path, and the intermediate portions ot' the inner surface of each of said flanges being reversely curved and lying in the same circle concentric ivith said head.

13. An inte rupter housing for a combined timer and distributer, including an annule sheet metal member having al continuous npstanding flange at its outer edge and a plu-V rality of spaced upstanding ilangcs at the inner edge.

1st. An interrupter housing for a combined timer and distributer, including an annular sheet metal member having a continuous'upstanding flange at its outer edge and a plurality of spaced upstanding ilanges atthe inner edge, each ot' said flanges having its edges curved outwardly and the intermediate portion ot the inner surface of the flange curved substantially concentric with the. housing.

15. A combined timer and dist-ributer, including a head of insulation material. a pair ot make-and-break contacts carriedk thereby, a breaker arm pivoted on said head, a4 sheet met-al casin g having a cylindrical peripheral insana? ivall and anv annular row ol lugs in the path ot movement ot said breaker arm and diS- posed at substantially the same radial dis tance from the center of rotation of said head as said peripheral Wall.

16. A combined timer and distributer, including aI head ol insulation material, a pair ol make-andsbreak contacts carried thereby, a breaker arm pivoted on said head, a sheet metal Casing having a cylindrical peripheral Wall and an annular rouv ot' lugs in the path ot movement ot said breaker arm and dif'- posed at substantially the same radial dis tance from the center of rotation ot said head said peripheral ivall, said head below said breaker arm. having collector ring sections separately connectedto said contacts, and a brush carried by Said peripheral wall for en` gagement with said collector ring sections.

17. An interruptor head for ignitiDn apparatus including a body portion ot' insulation material, a pair ot seini-circular collector ring sections carried thereby, a pivoted arm mounted on said head.independently of said sections, a contact carried thereby, a post secured to one ot said sections, a. contact carried by said post,.a spring acting on said arm tor normally holding said contacts in predetermined relative positions, and connections betWeen said spring and the other section.

18. An interrupter head for an ignition apparatus, including a head having a hole therein, a post mounted in said hole and having a bearing. portion eccentric in respect to the part Within said hole, a contact carrying member mounted on said head, and a second Contact carrying member pivotally mounted on said post, said post being mounted for rotation in said hole, whereby the normal relative position otono contact in respec to the other may be varied.

- 19. An interrupter head for ignition apparatus, including a body portion having a pair ot openings therein, a pair of posts rotatably mounted within said openings, a Contact carried by onepost, a pivoted lever mounted on the other post and having a contact for cooperation With the lirst mentioned contact, a bearing portion ot said last mentioned post being eccentric in respect to the axis ot rotation ol,E the post in its opening.

20. A combined timer and distributer for double ignition systems. includingv a rotor having an interrupter head, a distributer head detachably n'iounted thereon, a second distributer head detachably mounted upon the i'irst distributer head, and a casing hav ing separate series of terminals in operative relationship in respect to the separate distributer beads.

21. A'combined timer and distributer, including a easing having a body portion, a cover portion adapted to be directly secured thereto, an auxiliary casing portion adapted .l lll to besecured between ksaid cover portion 4and said body portion upon thek removaly of the cover portion, an interrupter head within the body portion, a distributer head detachably connected theretov for` cooperation with secondary terminals on the cover section, and

an auxiliary -distributer head yadapted to be inserted between said interruptor head and said first mentioned distributer head upon the removalof the latter, and adapted `to Vcooperate with a series ofvsecondary terminals 1 onsaid auxiliary casing portion.

22. An attachment for a combined timer and distributerfor adapting the same `to double ignition, including an auxiliary cas'- ingsection adapted to be inserted between the bodyportion and cover portion of the casing of the timer and distributer, and an auxiliary dist-ributer headadaptedto be inserted between the interrupter head andy distributer yhead of the timer anddistributer. y

23. In combination, a'casinghaving a body portion and a cover portion, said cover portion having 'a series of seconda-ry terminals,

a rotorhaving an vinterrupter head Within jsaid body portionpandy a distributer head I within said coverwportion, anintermediate casing section having a` series of secondary terminals and adapted to be lnserted between the'body'portion and the cover portion, and

an'auxiliary distributer head adapted to be inserted between 4said interrupter head' and' said first mentioned distributer.`

r 24. A distributer head having asocket in yone `surface thereof and a projection of correspondin form jupon the opposite surface and coaxial therewith,r whereb said distributer head maybe interpose f between a distributer and 'a rotatable' support` therefor,

having cooperating projections and socket engagement. Y Y

25.l An auxihary caslng sect1on for a com- Y binedv timer y and distributer having a peripheral wall, the upper and lower edges of which are of similar but opposite formation, whereby the casing section may be inserted between a cover and body portion of a timer, andcooperate with the connecting porf tions of the latter, said casing section having a central aperture therethrough adapted to receive driving connections to a distributer withinthe cover section.

26. A combined timer and distributer, having a body portion, a pair of superposed detachable casing sections eachhaving a series of secondary terminals, an interrupterl head, and a pair of super-posed detachable distributer heads for cooperation with the secondary terminals of said superposed casing sections.

27. A combined timer and distributer, 1ncluding a pair of superposed detachable body sections, each having an annular row of secondary'terminals and a feed terminal, the

feed terminal of one of said casing'sections ingbrush bearings for connecting the feed terminal ofits corresponding section'to the several secondary terminals thereof.

' Signed Vat New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 21 day of February, A. D. 1922.

e JOSEPH ILLEHMAN. 

